Travis Bikes America

After 1,444 miles of driving and 2 ½ books on tape, we arrived in Astoria, Oregon about an hour ahead of schedule.  We drove almost seven hours today and never saw the sun — just rain and wind and 57º temperatures.  I’m sure the weather will improve tomorrow (and the next day and the next day).  Since we didn’t pack up our bikes, we didn’t have to unpack and reassemble them.  That made it much easier to get registered, pass the safety check, sign a bunch of release forms and pick up our jerseys.  I haven’t met everybody yet but it looks like the riders range in age from about 20 to about 70.  Also found out that one of the rules of participation is that we’re not allowed to flip obscene gestures to motorists at any time for any reason.  I hope that doesn’t slow us down too much.

Drove into Riverton, Wyoming on the evening of the 16th with the winds blowing at about 60 miles per hour.  Steve asked a store clerk if this were normal.  The response: “Sure. It’s Wyoming.”  Got up early today and hit the road, following the Across America North route in reverse.  We mainly followed two-lane highways through spectacular Wyoming and then Idaho countryside.  Imagine the Alps sitting atop the Painted Desert. That’s Wyoming.  Incredibly varied terrain with white-capped mountains, buttes, mesas, rolling hills and deep red gashes in the earth.  Got some beautiful views of the Grand Tetons — though slightly covered with clouds.  Elliot and I climbed the Grand Teton back in 1996.  It was the first time I realized that Elliot — 13 at the time — was a natural at rock climbing, much better than dear old Dad.  From Jackson, Wyoming to Twin Falls, Idaho, we crossed two mountain passes. Both were fairly low — 6,500 feet and 8,500 feet — but they both included 10% grades.  On our bikes, we’ll go from Twin Falls to Jackson in a one day … one very big day.  In between the two passes, we stopped in Victor, Idaho to drink huckleberry milk shakes.  Very tasty and an excellent recommendation from our buddy, Timmy Davis.  Then onward across Idaho, picking up the Interstate east of Boise and cruising through to Baker City, Oregon.  Tomorrow, it’s on to Astoria.

The bike riding doesn’t begin until Sunday, but my biking buddy, Steve Berthe, and I are leaving today to drive from Denver to Astoria, Oregon, the starting point for the trip. We’ll arrive in Astoria on Saturday, ready to dip our wheels into the Pacific on Sunday. Last night we had a very nice bon voyage party with 70 of our closest friends — all of whom are now good friends with our dachsund, Bella, as well.  The good news is that we’ve now raised $25,000 for the National MS Society.  That’s 68% of the goal and I haven’t even started riding yet.  I can’t wait to get going and I hope you’ll follow me along the way.

Since the last post, Suellen and I took a week off to go to New York City to see our friends Jeff & Mary Kay and to meet some Swedish friends Eva, Anders and Karin and, of course, to see Elliot and Julia. We love New York, even when it’s hot and humid as it was when we visited.  It’s a great walking town.  I switched on my pedometer and found that we walked anywhere from eight to 12 miles a day.  We did touristy things like the Circle Line tour around Manhattan and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Then we saw the Alexander McQueen show at the Met and it just stopped us in our tracks. Simply amazing.  We also visited the Cooper Hewitt to see the Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry collection.  A fun and well-put-together show but not even in the same league as Alexander McQueen.  I didn’t take a bike to the Big Apple but got plenty of exercise by hanging out at Clay’s gym and spa on 14th street.  As far as I’m concerned, it’s the most fun gym in New York.  I mainly rode the stationary bikes and ogled the clientele, which included some bold face names.  We also took our young architects, Elliot and Julia, on a tour to New Canaan, Connecticut to visit Philip Johnson’s Glass House.  It’s a brilliant tour and a drop-dead gorgeous location — highly recommended if you’re in the area.  Now we’re back in Denver and I’m riding my butt off.  I’m also back at the gym working with my trainer, Alison. She’s working me hard and I think I’m pretty close to being ready to go.  At least my legs and lungs are ready to go — I’m not sure about the rest of me.   I did my yoga this morning along with foam rollers to loosen up my fascia.  Let’s see … what else do I have to do?  Oh yeah, gain three more pounds so I’ll have some body fat in reserve for those long days in the saddle.  Whew…. a biker’s work is never done.